Tidal HiFi Test - how representative?

MoFi - Oh...okay, no problem. Thanks for trying. Yes, the differences I heard between A & B samples w/headphones are not likely to be audible w/most built-in computer speakers. Hoping some of the Tidal champions will comment.

For those interested, here's a link to the "test" at Tidal.
http://test.tidalhifi.com

Mofi - would you say the HiFi samples offered in the test are similar in sound quality to what you are getting while streaming? Thanks in advance.

Thanks folks. The comments are interesting. I would really love to hear from someone who has compared the test samples to actual content as streamed by Tidal. Hgeifman - is that something you would be willing to do? (Looking for ears other than mine to weigh in.) Thanks again.

Hg - No problem here. Just looking for a 2nd opinion on test sample quality vs actual streamed content. BTW - I'm pretty certain the 30 day trial is available with or without "passing" the test.

Thanks, A$280...I've been trying to avoid downloading yet another program so was hoping I could get a clue about Tidal sound quality from the test samples they provide. The test doesn't require downloading anything. It is NOT an alternative "test system" to the actual Tidal streaming product.

Second point: I might be confused, but when I look at the actual Tidal site (not the HiFi Test screen; see screen at link below) - it looks to me like Tidal Premium is the low cost $9.99/mo option designed to compete price-wise with Spotify, while Tidal HiFi is the high quality uncompressed/lossless option that costs $19.99 per month. So from this, it seems Tidal Premium is definitely not Tidal HiFi. See screen at link here.

http://tidal.com/us/try-now

Let me know what you think. Thanks. (I do note 30 day free trial)

Hey 280 - For me to see what the hoopla is all about I might well just have to do the free trial. Have to say, I've been VERY happy with Spotify. Sound seems excellent to me. I don't notice obvious compression...things sound very dynamic with good frequency extension and imaging. But I remain curious about what I might be missing with Tidal. When I took the Tidal "test" with my AKG550 headphones + Dragonfly/Jitterbug DAC combo, I got 4 out of 5 correct (selected the lossless/uncompressed version for 4 out of 5 tracks) even though the B sample of the last 2 tracks had problems playing back in a timely way. Based on my experience with the test material, to my ears and with my gear, I found the differences between the Tidal A & B samples to be very subtle and the perceived improvement not really all that compelling as a reason to make a change and pay 2x more. I was a bit surprised and disappointed given the raves about Tidal. Even on my main system, I felt like I was somewhat guessing which sample sounded better. I'd rank any improvement from Tidal well below what an IC cable upgrade can bring. This is not intended to challenge what anyone else hears from Tidal HiFi and goad them into defending it. It might well be how my system is "tuned" (not as highly resolving as some???; although the AKGs are pretty resolving) such that the benefit is just not there for me. At any rate, I didn't want to make a final judgement about Tidal based solely on their test samples, hence my original question. Since no one yet seems to have compared test material vs actual streamed subscription content, doing the trial might be the only way to scratch the itch. Thanks again for your various comments.

280 - I'm certainly not trying to rain on anyone's parade. I do like the ability with Spotify or Tidal to pick an album or artist and just listen to their stuff vs hearing single tracks mixed with a lot of other "related" music - as is the case with something like Pandora (and maybe Radio Tunes?).

Hey 280...we like the blues and blues-derived R&R a lot. Here's a link to a Bruce/Moore version of White Room if you haven't already heard it...

spotify:track:3iuB4spb712utDvukqSBcx

ALSO - you can type the names Gary Moore Jack Bruce (no ampersand) into the Spotify search box and come up with quite a few good things to hear.

Carrying pencil and paper to make notes about music heard while mowing...good on you. Glad to read about someone else with a music jones.

Ball and Chain is a song from the 2002 GM album "Scars" (Track 8).